Black Friday protests demand better pay for Walmart workers

Published 4:46 pm, Friday, November 23, 2012

Many Walmart workers across the country kicked off Black Friday by walking off the job -- including workers from three stores in the Puget Sound area.

The employees say they want better pay and more full-time shifts -- and they weren't the only ones on the picket line.

"I think it's time that people say enough is enough," said one participant from the group Our Walmart.

"We go all over the country supporting workers and standing up for workers' rights, and that's why I am out here today," says protester Mark Drummond.

Even consumers took part.

"I'll never shop at Walmart again," said one.

Demonstrators say they are protesting the company's alleged attempts to silence workers who speak out for better jobs that include better pay, better benefits and stable hours.

"People deserve to have decent conditions on the job," says Drummond.

Workers in more than 100 cities were expected to go on strike as part of the continued wave of protests in 46 states.

"The more people shop here, the more message gets out," says protester Amanda Everly.

And they say employees are paying a high price so customers can have low prices.

"The Waltons (owners) are getting richer on the backs of their workers," says Everly.

Walmart filed a complaint last week with the National Labor Relations Board, claiming unions illegally organized the protests. The company denies any retaliation against employees and calls the protests a publicity stunt.

While we couldn't find any Walmart employees among the crowd, the protesters say they're giving a voice to those too afraid to speak up and demand change.

Walmart says the controversy is not affecting sales. By Friday morning, stores had recorded 10 million transactions nationwide since doors opened at 8 p.m. Thursday. That's about 5,000 items per second.